Fire Island National Seashore

Fire Island is one of the central barrier Islands off the southern coast of Long Island. Nestled in the western end of FI is Robert Moses State Park which, is said to to be the oldest State Park in Long Island.   If you are looking to get away from the city beaches of the South Shore this is the place to be. Five miles of gorgeous clean beaches on the open Atlantic, picnic areas, a nature trail, and plenty of deer! Best of all, The Fire Island Lighthouse! 192 steps is all you need to climb to soak in the beautiful views of FI, The Great South Bay and The Atlantic Ocean.  If you are not one of the lucky few who call FI home you can still enjoy the day. 

 

 

 

 

 

Hungry after your climb to the top? A short walk from the lighthouse is the community of Kismet. The Kismet Inn is a great place to relax, eat and have a drink (or two)

Route 27 East

Beautiful scenery, wineries, live music, roasted corn, pumpkins and corn mazes.  The eastern end of Long Island is the perfect way to spend a fall afternoon.  The below pictures are from a recent afternoon spent in Jamesport

 

 

Fall On The Beach

The heavy crowds have disappeared, the lifeguard stands have been removed and the days are getting shorter and shorter. Another great summer has passed and its fall on the beach.  We say goodbye to hot, humid days and say hello to brisk air and gorgeous sunsets. Here are some of my favorites from the past few weeks. Enjoy! 

 

                                        

Bay Houses

As a small child I was fascinated by the bay houses that are scattered about the South Shore of Long Island. While out on my families boat we would always encounter these "floating houses" One by one, we would pass them by and I would pretend that I lived on these magical secluded marshlands.  I still pass the bay houses today and am forever in awe of them.  No longer through the magical eyes of a child but with a natural curiosity that has developed over the years.  What exactly are the bay houses? How did they come to be?  And who are the lucky few who call them home?
                                                                              D. Abrams

  Bay Houses

'Bay houses are small shacks that stand on the South Shore's marshlands in the Town of Hempstead that were originally built in the 1700 and 1800s by fishermen, baymen and duck hunters for shelter while they harvested clams, salt hay or went duck hunting. Through the years they have been passed down among their families.'

  

 

'During the 1940s - 1960s other residents built bay houses as weekend getaways; by 1965 there were over 200 bay houses. In 1965 the Town of Hempstead removed most of the bay houses in an effort to preserve the sensitive wetlands on which they stand.'

 

 

 

'As a result of research and subsequent publication of On The Bay, written by director Nancy Solomon, the Town decided to preserve the fragile structures for future generations. Today there are approximately 34 bay houses remaining. To educate visitors and residents Long Island Traditions conducts an annual bay house tour.'  You can also call Long Island Traditions at (516) 767-8803

All information listed above is provided by http://www.longislandtraditions.org/bayhouse/bay.html

 

                                     All photos provided by Deidre Abrams